• Published on Wednesday, 01 Feb 2012
BC's Best

Best Gyms for Strength, Cardio and Specialty Fitness Classes

The best fitness centres offer a variety of classes, equipment and services for every body type and fitness level

  • Good-quality strength training equipment is a must for a great gym
    Image by Ron Zalko
    Good-quality strength training equipment is a must for a great gym

    Are you looking for the basics, like cardio and strength training equipment and varied group fitness classes?

    Or are you after specialty sessions (like martial arts or brand-new trends) and additional services (like personal training, saunas or a pool)?

    However tall your order, these gyms have got your match.

  • 1 of 5 — Denman Fitness

    Denman Fitness also offers personal training to help you reach your fitness goal
    Image by Denman Fitness
    Denman Fitness also offers personal training to help you reach your fitness goals

    Known for its community spirit and first-rate fitness classes, Denman Fitness has been running (and grapevining) since 1994 – no small feat in the fickle fitness biz.

    Voted the Courier’s “Best Fitness Club in Vancouver” in 2011, Denman fitness offers a wide range of programs and services at its 18,000-square-foot facility, from basics like strength and cardio equipment and aerobics, to yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, and cycling classes, to bonuses like Zumba, squash courts, a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and pool, and unique programs like Super Sandbag Training.

  • 2 of 5 — Robert Lee YMCA

    Drop by the YMCA's gymnasium for a friendly game of basketball or volleyball
    Image by Trevor Meier for YMCA of Greater Vancouver
    Drop by the YMCA's gymnasium for a friendly game of basketball, volleyball or badminton

    The YMCA of Greater Vancouver was founded in 1886. The existing structure was built in 1940 and underwent a massive renovation in 2010. The resulting new Robert Lee YMCA encompasses a whopping 92,000 square feet that offer a number of community spaces and services in addition to fitness offerings.

    Highlights include a UV-filtered infinity pool, three fitness studios with over 60 fitness classes (including the usual suspects – spin, yoga, Pilates, aerobics – as well as Capoeira and Zumba), 9,000 square feet of strength and cardio equipment, a gymnasium, and two squash/racquetball courts.

  • 3 of 5 — Ron Zalko Total Body Fitness and Yoga

    Head to the double-disco-ball aerobics studio for Ron Zalko's signature workout
    Image by Ron Zalko
    Head to the double-disco-ball aerobics studio for a wide selection of classes including Ron Zalko's signature workout

    What’s with the disco balls and club beats? Ron Zalko, celebrity trainer and Ironman Canada founder says the idea is to have fun when you work out, so he’s created a lively discotheque-like atmosphere in the large fitness studio at his 20,000-square-foot facility, Ron Zalko Total Body Fitness and Yoga, which has twice been voted the number one fitness club in Vancouver.

    Some of Vancouver’s hottest bodies flock to the stellar classes (spin, yoga, Pilates, dance sculpt, kickboxing, karate, Krav Maga, and the original Ron Zalko Workout), and the hard bodies and visiting celebs can be seen strutting their stuff among the Hammer Strength equipment.

  • 4 of 5 — Studeo 55

    Studeo 55: "Exercise should be hard work, but it should also be a ton of fun."
    Image by Studeo 55
    Studeo 55 says, "Exercise should be hard work, but it should also be a ton of fun."

    Vancouver’s only boutique health club, Studeo 55 offers over 30 aerobics, yoga, MMA and CrossFit classes in a swanky setting – and it’s about to get swankier when it moves into its new facility in March 2012.

    Specializing in personal training and group fitness, Studeo 55 ensures you always have a someone to keep you accountable, whether it’s a class instructor leading yoga in the pagoda, Balates (a ballet-Pilates fusion) in the dance hall, Urban Detox in the weight room, kickboxing in the bag room, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the MMA studio, or a personal trainer encouraging you to squeeze out just a few more reps on the squat rack.

  • 5 of 5 — Steve Nash Sports Club Vancouver

    Steve Nash Sports Club offers a range of indoor cycling classes
    Image by Paul Joseph for Steve Nash Sports Club
    Steve Nash Sports Club offers a range of indoor cycling classes, from the basics to endurance training, cycle core, and rhythm ride

    Superstar basketballer Steve Nash and partners opened the first Steve Nash Sports Club in 2007, and purchased Fitness World in 2009, bringing its current number to 17 clubs.

    But it’s the downtown Vancouver flagship location that’s caught our attention with its 38,500 square feet and 3 floors of strength equipment, studios, and extras like digital lockers, juice bar, and sauna and steam rooms.

    Join in on one of the conditioning or dance classes in the group exercise studio, yoga or Pilates in the zen studio, or a cycling class in the spin studio.

    Navigate your way through the nice selection of strength equipment, or employ the help of a personal trainer.

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Comments

4
    • Anonymous
    • March 6, 2012 @ 9:38

    Being a long time runner and a shorter time cyclist, I finally accepted the fact that I needed core training to balance out my fitness regime. I am very pleased with the core training I have been doing for the past five months under the direction of Adrian at the North Road Steve Nash Fitness World and love my spin classes at the same location. I haven't tried any of the other classes yet but have heard positive comments from other clients.


    For me the key components are that the gym be clean, close to home or work, open very long hours, and have enough space/equipment for their clients to do the workouts they want to do.


    • Anonymous
    • February 13, 2012 @ 8:37

    just wanted to know one thing is it that much crowded with equipments as it seems in the picture. if its so where will the people adjust themselves to exercise....http://fundoosh.in


    • Anonymous
    • February 8, 2012 @ 10:23

    Vancouver's gyms are full of big shiny equipment, clients slumped over their cardio equipment on cell phones and clones of trainer's giving client after client some high intensity Navy Seals program to clients with the most basic of fitness skills.


    The small specialty boutique style gym is where REAL clients wanting success and improvement in health and life go to train. Of course we don't advertise our addresses, or even have a website. We are referral based from 100's of successful clients working with us.


    Where do you think the real FIT professionals, athletes, and those wanting more out of life are going? Certainly NOT to Steve NASH, Studeo 55 or Ron Zalko.


    Those that really want more out of life go to specialty trainer's, and professionals who cater to clients on a one to one assessment basis. We don't offer a $129.00 a month membership fee's but we do offer them freedom from gyms, unhealthy habits, and a amazing training environment and support.


    We are the new breed of GYMS and lifestyle support - your "research" is a little old, and I had higher expectations from your writer.


    • Anonymous
    • February 7, 2012 @ 6:31

    You should title your email "Best VANCOUVER Gyms" as you didn't offer anything for any other locations in BC. G.


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